Pointe-à-Pitre — Delgrès' Last Cry

Your journey for freedom in Pointe-à-Pitre begins at the Mémorial ACTe, the starting point for the 'Le Dernier Cri de Delgrès' treasure hunt. This site, designed by architect Frank Höhn, spans a total area of 7,000 m² and houses 3,000 m² of permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of slavery and the slave trade. Inaugurated in 2015, it anchors your quest in the poignant memory of oppression and resilience, laying the groundwork for the struggle led by Louis Delgrès and the enslaved people of Guadeloupe in 1802. It is here that you decipher the first puzzles, revealing secret maps of resistance movements.

Continue towards Place de la Victoire, created in 1764 and named in commemoration of the 1762 British naval victory, re-conquered by the French. This historic heart of Pointe-à-Pitre, surrounded by 18th-century colonial buildings, has been the site of markets and public gatherings since that era. It is in this square that you attempt to decode hidden signals from the insurgents, a crossroads of exchanges and rumors, essential to anti-slavery resistance strategies. The shadows of historical figures like Victor Hugues still seem to haunt the place, testifying to the upheavals of the 18th century.

Your path then leads you to Marché Saint-Antoine, a covered market built in 1835. Its metallic architecture, typical of West Indian colonial markets, has seen daily trade for over 180 years, specializing in spices and tropical products. This building, classified as part of Guadeloupe's architectural heritage, is the ideal place to conceal coded messages among the stalls. Under the watchful eyes of the merchants, you search for clues in the aromas and colors, hoping to find the location of weapon caches for Louis Delgrès' men in 1802.

Rue de la République, a historic commercial artery developed in the 19th century, connects Place de la Victoire to the port. It is lined with Creole colonial buildings featuring wooden balconies, emblematic of Guadeloupean architecture. This nerve center of commercial exchanges, active since the slave era, is a crucial stop. As you weave through this street, you must avoid patrols and find the contact who will lead you to the next stage of your mission. This street has seen figures like Alexis Saint-Léger Léger, born in 1887, whose birthplace is now a museum.

Finally, your journey concludes near Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, consecrated in 1844 after its reconstruction following cyclones. Its tropical neo-Gothic style and facade adorned with red and white bricks, with its 35-meter bell tower, make it a historic monument of Pointe-à-Pitre. It is here that you transmit the final message, ensuring the longevity of Louis Delgrès' memory and his cry. This walking circuit will have allowed you to delve into the history of Pointe-à-Pitre, its historical monuments, and the legacy of resistance, a testament to Guadeloupe's historical heritage and the people's values of freedom.